I am saving to get an alembic, but i am not so sure which one i should get... i love the stanley bass, but im not sure about the short scale, what bass should i get?? i like the crown headstock, and i like natuaral wood. Any bass? If so please post a photo and say how it plays.

As someone who's owned/still owns a Spoiler-Exploiter, a Europa, two Essences, an SC Signature Standard, a Dragon's Wing, Spyder Limited Editions, Epic, and most recently a custom Series II, I'd offer the following.

Find someone in your area that owns an Alembic. See if you can try it out (if there's a dealer in your area, this is much easier obviously). Better yet, try it on a gig if possible. Play around with the controls, particularly filters/Q switches. See what works for you given the music you're making.

I became an Alembic owner in 2003. I started with a Spoiler-Exploiter. I found the electronics a bit limiting, so I moved on to a Spyder (Anniversary Electronics) a Europa (Europa Electronics) , then later the Dragon's Wing (Signature Electronics), Essences (Essence Electronics), an SC Sig Std (Signature Electronics), an Epic (Epic Electronics) and finally the Series II (Series II Electronics). What I found was this ...

The Signature, Essence, Epic, and Series II electronics suit the music I play most of the time. This is why I no longer own the Europa, Spoiler/Exploiter, and Spyder. As great as they are, they weren't my cup of tea.

Again, try to play a bunch if you can. Figure out what works for you. Then buy one if you can.

Not sure what your budget is, but my take on this is: (que absolute horror on others faces) - there are Alembics, and then there are Series 1 and Series 2 Alembics. With the other Alembic models they are comparable to nice boutique basses (Fodera, Carl Thompson, Warwick Infinity etc.) but they are a little watered down in comparison to a Series 1 or 2.

If your budget is small start on something like a 2nd hand Distillate/Essence/Epic off ebay or from a club member here, but bear in mind that it is likely you will eventually want and own a Series 1 or 2.

My advice is, if you can afford it (both time and money wise) - Find a nice 2nd hand Series 1 or 2 and skip the intermediate step all together. It will actually save you money in the long run as you won't need other basses (I've been through this and sold some beautiful instruments because they do not measure up to a Series Alembic).

Others may disagree on this, but at least first try a Series 1 or Series 2 before deciding what to do, you may find that you no longer want to own a car/investment portfolio/grandmother. I would sooner give you my house than part with my Series 2 Custom.

I used to play in a church band when we were living in San Jose. I never heard a bad word about the sound and in fact all the comments were positive. I play a fretless series I 75-251S pictures of it here somewhere. My rig was a Fender BXR300 and 300w 15" plus twin 10" at 100w. Never had the opportunity to "arc it up" in church although I played the San Jose cathedral and I got to bring it up to about 5 during a solo. The series I gave me such tonal range that I had never experienced with other instruments.

I agree with Garth +1 - If you can afford it go for a series instrument.

FWIW, I have never owned or played a series Alembic, but my Epic and Europa are better feeling, sounding, looking basses than any other boutique instrument I've had my hands on.

I am of the opinion that, within the Alembic universe, the feel of the bass in your hands, is far more important than the electronics package. Neck profile, scale length, weight, upper horn placement, mean everything to me. You can always get yourself an SF-2 if you want more tonal options.

I wasn't looking for my first Alembic, I just picked up an unknown instrument in a used shop, and was immediately blown away by how it felt and played. I fondled it for 15 minutes before I plugged it in, or even knew it was an Alembic. And I was smitten after 10 seconds.

If you can't get your hands on one easily, wait and watch, and buy the first one you find that looks like you would enjoy playing, that you can afford. Best of luck,

I am the owner of series I, series ii, signature deluxe basses, and a former owner of an Elan, I agree with others that say you should just wait for a used series bass, you won't regret it. A used scsd wouldn't be a bad option either, but a series bass is worth waiting for (I waited ten years for one!!).

As others have said, try and find someone local who will let you spend some time with a series bass.

I find there are two things that determine which Alembic to buy - the neck shape/width and the electronics.

If at all possible, before you buy an Alembic try both the classic and comfort taper necks - especially if you are looking at more than 4 strings. There is a big difference in the feel of these two necks. There is no "better" but you will want what works best for you.

The non-Series electronics are way better than any other brand that I've tried. There is absolutely nothing wrong with them. Again, if you can try both types of electronics, you can decide if the upgrade to Series electronics is worth it to you. For some it is, for others it isn't.

The nice thing is that no matter which Alembic you choose, it will be a great instrument. The only question is "Which Alembic is best for you?" and really, only you can answer that.

My first Alembic was a SC Deluxe and I'm always impressed with the sound of it and wouldn't feel hard done by If I never managed to get a Series Bass. SC has the shape and build quality of a series bass and I'm fairly sure that no-one is going to seriously tell you that an SC bass sounds below par because it's not a series bass. They are a great affordable alternative to a Series Bass ( unless you are in the UK hahhaha).

So don't overlook a signature bass in your search. I also have An Europa 5 and an Elan 4 with Europa Electronics and they both sound fantastic and importantly, different.

The point I'd like to make is that, just because the series basses are the pinnacle of alembics sonically, it doesn't mean that you will automatically prefer their sound over other basses in the Alembic Range. They all have a family sound but with a difference so if you can get to play or listen to a few you will get an idea of what variation in sounds you can get from the alembic models. Listening to some instrument clips on you tube is a good start even though you won't get full quality you can get an idea of what the various models sound like.

Also there is the situation stated in other places on the forum about the worries of taking such expensive series basses to gigs, tours & rehearsals for fear of damage or theft hence the use of other basses instead ( beaters).

I'm in agreement with Loch that they will all be great instruments whichever you choose to buy.

I think a used Spoiler is a great place to start. It's neck-through, has a Q-switch, has great balance, and is a medium scale. They don't cost so much that you would be afraid to gig with them and they hold their value (so you can always get your money back if it doesn't turn out to be your "thing"). I'm not a "twiddler" when it comes to tone... I find it then leave it alone; therefore, the simpler electronics of the Spoiler is a plus (for me). The Series tone is altogether something different. It might not be what you are looking for; as such, I don't know that I would advise you to buy one "blind". But then again... (as long as you buy used) you can always get your money back on resale. The set-neck models might be a consideration for you as well: they have traditional tone controls and will be more "familiar" to you. I picked-up a used Orion for $1,000 and I find myself noodling around on it all the time. The only thing I would caution a new Alembican about is the (sometimes) less than ideal ergonomics of some body shapes. The SC is a joy to play, but neck-dive is a real issue. The Standard Point is also a little neck heavy and it "hangs" toward the neck, thus making those first positions a real reach.

As Mica often points out, these don't sound like any of the other artisan basses, as inevitably virtually all of the other makers use Bartolinis or EMGs, and it's interesting to see how similar they all sound, despite how different they can look.

Alembics are very pricey new, as they just aren't built cheaply, and are built one at a time. But, there are always some floating around used that can be had for way less than new if you're watching your budget. There's always a turnover in the market of guys that bought one, said it 'don't sound like my Fender!', and are trying to get out of it so they can buy a MusicMan or Sadowsky. I LOVE it when I can find one of those guys! They do have their own tone, and they're not for everybody, but then what is?

Most modern amps have way enough EQ to cancel out any worries about 'enough bass' in the short or medium scales, if that size bass is a better fit for you. The tone is a bit different, but you will not lack for deep end, and you may not even hear that slight difference.

And they're built by the best people in the world. I bought a used Spoiler to begin with, and from the first time I found this forum, or anytime I've called and spoken to Mary and Susan and Mica, I've always been treated like I'd spent a million dollars with them. They really care about their axes and there's nowhere else where you will be supported and have silly questions answered like Alembic. I can't say enough about them, or the way they've always treated me.

My 1981 Distillate 4 string 32" medium scale has plenty of low end bass with the filter turned only halfway down. In side x side comparisons it produces deeper lows out of the gate than my lowly 35" scale peavey Cirrus, which is a walnut/maple neck through.